Painting system nozzle including a magnet

Abstract

A nozzle for a painting system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first magnet and a second magnet. The first magnet is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The second magnet is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode when viewed in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The first and second electrodes and the first and second magnets define a passage through which paint is configured to flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nozzle for a painting system, the nozzle comprising:
 a first electrode;   a second electrode;   a first magnet disposed between the first and second electrodes when viewed in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; and   a second magnet disposed between the first and second electrodes when viewed in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle,   the first and second electrodes and the first and second magnets defining a passage through which paint is configured to flow.   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets extends substantially longitudinally from a nozzle inlet to a nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         3 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first and third portions being longitudinally aligned, the second portion being circumferentially offset from the first and third portions.   
     
     
         4 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets extends helically from a nozzle inlet to a nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         5 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 4 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets has a substantially constant pitch from a first end to a second end.   
     
     
         6 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 4 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets has a variable pitch from a first end to a second end.   
     
     
         7 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the pitch increases from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         8 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 4 , wherein
 a longitudinal thickness of each of the first and second magnets is substantially constant from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         9 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 4 , wherein
 a longitudinal thickness of each of the first and second magnets is variable from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         10 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the longitudinal thickness decreases from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         11 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending substantially helically, and the second portion extending substantially longitudinally.   
     
     
         12 . The nozzle for the painting system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the first portion is disposed upstream of the second portion.   
     
     
         13 . A voltage-assisted painting system comprising:
 a housing having a conduit configured to receive paint from an external source;   a power source; and   a nozzle disposed in the housing, the nozzle having an inlet that is fluidly connected to the conduit and configured to receive paint from the conduit, the nozzle having an outlet configured to dispense the paint, the nozzle including
 a first electrode connected to the power source; 
 a second electrode connected to the power source; 
 a first magnet disposed between the first and second electrodes when viewed in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; and 
 a second magnet disposed between the first and second electrodes when viewed in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, 
 the first and second electrodes and the first and second magnets defining a passage through which the paint is configured to flow. 
   
     
     
         14 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 an air passage surrounds an outer surface of the nozzle at the nozzle outlet, the air passage being configured to supply air externally of the nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         15 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 a transducer is disposed adjacent the nozzle, the transducer being configured to emit an acoustic wave to the passage.   
     
     
         16 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets extends substantially longitudinally from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         17 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 16 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first and third portions being longitudinally aligned, the second portion being circumferentially offset from the first and third portions.   
     
     
         18 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 13 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets extends helically from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 18 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets has a substantially constant pitch from a first end to a second end.   
     
     
         20 . The voltage-assisted painting system according to  claim 18 , wherein
 each of the first and second magnets has a variable pitch from a first end to a second end.